Stefan Wood

Fortunately, in DC, Gatton is a local legend. The only ones who don't know about him are the out of town college kids who man the chain cd shops. If you can ever find the Blue Note cd that he was on (I can't remember if it was the Manhattan Project or something else), buy it -- it is stunning!

The followup in the Jazz Times letters section makes for a clear case of why they let Crouch go. I'm surprised they kept him on for so long, given his lack of meeting deadlines and such. There's no excuse for not being professional, no matter who you are. Missing deadlines consistently isn't accepted at any level, from school to the business world. And for Crouch to fire back the way he has -- unacceptable.

I have the Costanza lp. Cheezy cover, but the music is very good. I would definitely go for the Willie Bobo. One of my favorite latin players before the disco thing kicked in. The Hutcherson is for completists, but there are moments. Very latin/salsa oriented, so don't expect anything like his classic 60's period. I'm still waiting for a Jazz Crusaders box (Select or otherwise).

Anthony Ortega. Everything this man did as a leader has been teriffic. It's hard to find those Fresh Sound reissues, though........ Scattered Clouds on Hat Art (or is it Hatology? I can't remember) is highly recommended.

I bought the Billy Mitchell, Sonny Stitt and Cannonball. Has anyone noticed that these have been remastered by the guys over at Sundazed? That might explain the increase (and cheap price) of the Verve reissues. Maybe they are following in Fantasy's footsteps.......

I miss nathan, especially with his reviews of all the experimental and unusual jazz that he seems to know so much about. I know he moved to NY, but that was a while ago. Michael H was a good, intelligent voice on the board but I know he left long before the BNBB demise because he was so disgusted by the general tone of the board. I still am in touch with him.

There aint nothing wrong with the sound quality of the first two Mosaic selects.........

I'm still on the first disc myself -- so far I like it very much as well. I'm glad to have the Jubilee session on cd, as I had the lp for some time, though it was scratchy. The sound is full and up to the usual high standards. Thumbs up!!!!!!!

I just got into listening music by Barbara Dennerlein. If I understand this right she is German and plays the B3 and synthesizer. Maybe not greasy, but damn she shure is funky! Can do without the cheesy synth at times but she writes very good compositions.

Milt Hinton - Basses Loaded (RCA) Teddy Edwards - 3 for Duke Miles Davis - Cote Blues

Howard Tate. I picked up the Verve reissue several years ago and it is a killer soul album. "Get It While You Can" is an all-time classic, and his voice is tremendous. Irma Thomas - her New Orleans tracks from the 60's are dramatic show stoppers, every single one! Get the Raxor & Tie or the Kent reissue cds, those are great compilations. "Time is on My Side" (yes, later covered by the Rolling Stones) is here, as well as many others. My favorite female soul singer, although Ann Peebles runs a close second. Get the A & B Hi singles for Peebles' compilation.

I can definitely do the $100- $200 range. I'll check out some of those you listed. Thanks!

Lately: Complete Syl Johnson on Hi (2 cd set) - Fun-ky! Randy Weston Mosaic Select Duke Ellington Complete RCA Recordings disc 1 (over and over, I'm daunted by listening to the other discs) Air - Live Air Old and New Dreams - Black Saint (1st album?) AMAZING!!!!!!

Yes, even though I have a decent tube set up, I have recently purchased an amp for movies and such. But, it is in a different room so I would like to hook up a turntable to it. There is no phono input to the amp (Yamaha) -- I know there are adapters for adding a turntable........... the question is, which one to get?

Lately: Shelly Manne - Checkmate Bennie Green Mosaic Select set - oh yeah!!!!!! Paul Weller - Illuminations Horace Silver - You Got to Take a Little Love Von Freeman - Nessa cd

I have the Green Select set and listening to it right now, in fact. I had the TOCJs -- it's close, but I have been preferring the Selects sound because of depth and richness. For instance, on the Walkin and Talkin sessions -- I forget which particular track, but I distinctly heard hand clapping throughout the entire track -- I don't recall hearing that (maybe I wasn't focusing as much) on the TOCJ.

Got the new Selects in yesterday. I am listening to the Bennie Green first -- excellent!!!!!!!!

If the Washington Post has a regular jazz music critic, I'm not aware of it. By this I mean it seems that they have a few people who review a wide variety of genres of music -- Mark Jenkins comes to mind, and I know he used to be heavily into the harDCore punk scene years ago. I just got Jazz Times yesterday and read about his firing by the magazine. I think they went out of their way to even continue to publish Crouch's opinions. I am not surprised that they decided not to continue printing his articles.

I love Sun Ra from any time period. His 50's material (especially Sun Song) would be a nice introduction to him, unless you are the go for broke avant nut then you can dive right in to his later material (Concert for Comet K -----). Hey -- has Astro Black been reissued? I have most of the Evidence cds reiddues, but I can't remember if that Impulse date was reissued. That is an amazing lp.

Haven't posted a listening list since the BNBB days -- Carmell Jones - Mosaic set Sonny Rollins Meets Coleman Hawkins Miles Davis - Workin' (remastered Prestige) Vandermark 5 - latest Paul Weller's latest Willie Hutch - Best of Mickey & the Soul Generation - 2 cd compilation of their singles and live tracks -- EASILY the reissue of the year!!!

Bill Heid was a student of Larry Young, I thought. At least that is what he said to me when I saw him play at Twins in DC -- he's a local.

I took the plunge -- don't hesitate!

Thanks all! My first priority will be to hit the museums and galleries, but I will try to see a jazz gig if there is anyone interesting playing. Refrain as best as I can from going into a music shop, but that will be damn near impossible. Lots of digital pictures. And I will definitely take up the suggestions made here. I'll be staying around Picadilly Circus. Should be fun!

Hey all, I've taken advantage of a late winter airfare sale and am going to London for the first time in my life in early May. I was wondering if anyone has recommendations regarding music shops, art galleries (I will hit the museums, they are my main focus), restaurant, etc. etc.

Easily. This is outstanding music!